City will be without striker Gabriel Jesus and defender John Stones at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen because of hamstring and groin injuries respectively.

Manager Pep Guardiola said this was the price City would have to pay for being involved in the latter stages of so many competitions.

But the City boss also hinted at frustration at the burden placed on players, with schedules that include demanding pre-season tours. In what was a sarcastic answer, Guardiola appeared to confirm that City would be travelling to China this summer.

He said: “That’s normal when you play every three days for three months. We played 25 games in three months.

PEP 💬 This competition is special. The teams are good. You have to control your emotions.